At a Glance

The Colorado Plateau has created monuments shaped by winter snows, rain and geological upheaval over a span of time eluding human comprehension. Even with an understanding of geology, the multi-hued amphitheaters and hoodoos of Bryce, the cathedral canyons of Zion and the lush North Rim of the Grand Canyon seem improbable — inspiring wonder and defying imagination. Venture into these breathtaking national parks to discover their evolution through geologic time and the natural history and human stories that also color this country.

Activity Level

Varies by date

Varies by date. Elevations up to 8,000 feet. On Your Feet (Moderate): Walking up to one mile on varied terrain. Keep the Pace (Active): Walking three miles daily on varied terrain. Elevations up to 9,115 feet.

Best of all, you'll ...

Hike in Zion National Park's main canyon as a naturalist provides trailside insights.

Spend a day among hoodoos and other rock formations of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Witness sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and enjoy a meditative hike below the rim on the North Kaibab Trail.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Jennifer Beltz

Jennifer Beltz is a former interpretive park ranger at Phantom Ranch, located in Grand Canyon National Park. She has worked as a naturalist and national park ranger throughout the United States, was co-coordinator of a Road Scholar service program that built a health clinic in Brazil, and has worked on many intergenerational programs. Jennifer has lectured in the Department of Geography and Public Planning at Northern Arizona University and has led programs for Road Scholar since 1992.

Bruce Banker

David M. Best

Joanna Joseph

Jennifer Beltz

Don Lago

Jeff Strang

Mary Best

Suggested Reading List

View 6 books

Book About History

by See List Below

Heart of the Desert Wild, Greer Chesser. 2000. Award winning book about the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM). It covers a variety of topics from geology to history. The photography and design of this book are outstanding and remains the definitive book on the GSENM. Softbound. $24.95
A Roadside History of Utah, Cynthia L. Bennett. 1999. Compelling stories of Utah’s exceptional people. $18.00
Hole-in-the-Rock, David E. Miller. 1966. If you want to learn more about one of the epic pioneer journeys in American History this is the book. It is area related and is a good read for those interested in history. $16.00
Outlaw Tales of Utah, Michael Rutter. True stores of Utah’s most famous robbers, rustlers and bandits. $10.95

Books About Native Americans

by See List Below

Sacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock Art, by Leslie Kelen & David Sucec 1996. Publication that features rock art and ruins of the native cultures of the southwest. $18.00
Those Who Came Before, Robert and Florence Lister. 1993. Southwestern archeology in the National Parks. $17.00

General Reference

by See List Below

A Naturalists Guide to the Canyon Country, David B. Williams. 2000. A wonderful Falcon Guide that uses fine artwork and pictures to introduce the geology, flora, fauna and history of the Canyon Country. $22.95.
Four Corners: History, Land and People of the Desert Southwest, Kenneth A. Brown. Great information about the region. $26.00
Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey. 1968. A season in the wilderness is a celebration of the beauty of living in a harsh and hostile land. Edward Abbey was a seasonal Park ranger in Arches National Monument. $10.75
Cadillac Desert, Marc Reisner. 1986. The story of the American West is the story of a relentless quest for a precious resource: water. The definitive work on the West’s water crisis. $17.00

Books About Southwest Flora

by See List Below

Wildflowers of Southwestern Utah, Hayle Buchanan. 1992. Text covers flowers, shrubs and trees in their various life zones from Zion, Bryce and Cedar Breaks. $7.95
Canyon Country Wildflowers, Damian Fagan. 1998. A field guide to common wildflowers, shrubs and trees. $19.95
Sagebrush Country a Wildflower Sanctuary, Ronald Taylor. 1992. A field guide to common wildflowers, grasses and shrubs of the Great Basin. $14.00
Great Basin Wildflowers, Laird R. Blackwell. 2006. A guide to common wildflowers of the High Deserts of Nevada, Utah and Oregon. $22.95
Wild Plants and Native Peoples of the Four Corners, William Dunmire & Gail Tierney. 1997. A valuable book for anyone interested in plants, people, and cultures of the Colorado Plateau. $22.50
Wildflowers of the Mountain Southwest, . Meg Quinn 2000. A field guide to common upland wildflowers. $12.95
Wildflowers of the Desert Southwest, Meg Quinn. 2000. A field guide to common desert wildflowers. $9.95

Geology

by See List Below

Geology – a Golden Guide, by Frank H.T. Rhodes, 1991, St. Martin’s Press, N.Y., ISBN 1-58238-143-7. $6.95
Utah‘s Spectacular Geology, Lehi Hintze, 2005 The geologic story of Utah’s landscapes and how they came to be. $29.95
The Colorado Plateau, Don Baars A comprehensive guide to the Colorado Plateau. $19.95
The Practical Geologist, Dougal Dixon, Raymond Bernor, 1992 This book is a great introductory guide to the basics of geology. Great diagrams, pictures and is well written. $16.00
Geology Underfoot in Southern Utah, R. Orndorff, R. Wieder, D. Futey, 2006 A hands on book about getting out among the rocks. Explores 33 sites in Southern Utah. Tells of ancient eruptions, deserts, seas, swamps and movements of massive rock units over eons. $18.00
Beyond the Visible Landscape, W. Kenneth Hamblin, 2004. A unique book that consists of a series of panoramic photographs taken from the air. Focuses on the fundamental features of the landscape. Contains excellent diagrams & descriptions of the geology in the photographs. Hardbound $65.00

Geology (Specific)

by See List Below

Shadows of Time: The Geology of Bryce Canyon National Park, Frank Decourten, 1994 A book with breathtaking photographs, well written on the geology of Bryce Canyon N. P. and surrounding high plateaus. $9.95
Water, Rock, & Time: The Geologic Story of Zion National Park, Robert Eves, 2005 This book is Zion’s newest masterpiece. It is well written. It is so nice you may want to leave it on the coffee table. $19.95
Zion National Park – Towers of Stone; by J.L. Crawford; Zion Natural History Association, Springdale, Utah, Fourth Edition 2002. ISBN 0-915630-00-1 $9.50 (Available online at www.zionpark.org)
Carving Grand Canyon, Wayne Ranney. 2005. A synopsis of ideas and theories that geologists have developed over time about the carving of the Grand Canyon. This story is told in an engaging style that non-scientists will find inviting. $14.95
Canyonlands Country, Donald Baars, 1993. Geology of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. $15.95

Afternoon: Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and to learn when and where dinner and the Orientation session will take place. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: Enjoy a dinner buffet catered by the hotel restaurant, plus coffee, iced tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation. Your Group Leader will welcome everyone and lead introductions of participants. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Transportation will be provided by motorcoach unless otherwise specified. Be sure to bring a daypack, refillable water bottle, sun protection, sturdy walking shoes and anything else you think you will need during our hikes in the desert. Durations of hikes vary depending on the group. This program has a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics, an Instructor who lead most field trips and lectures, and a bus driver who will accompany us throughout the program. Some days offer choices in the length of hikes. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.

Morning: Board the motorcoach for your trip north toward Zion National Park. Along the way your Instructor will enhance your travel time with insights into the geology, plants, animals and human history of the region. Travel through the Basin and Range Province, the upper Mohave Desert, and the Virgin River Gorge, en route to the Colorado Plateau and Zion National Park.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Springdale, Utah, just outside of Zion National Park, we will have a buffet lunch, plus coffee, tea, lemonade and water.

Afternoon: After lunch we will travel by motorcoach into the park with a short stop at the visitors center to help orient you to the park and the hikes we will be taking. We'll then proceed to Zion Lodge where we'll hike to Lower Emerald Pools to view waterfalls cascading over sandstone cliffs to shallow green pools.

Dinner: Plated dinner at local restaurant with a select menu of entrees, side dishes, vegetables, rolls, plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Consider attending Ranger lectures in the Lodge on various topics related to the park's ecology, geology and human history.

DAY

3

Human History Museum, Weeping Rock, Temple of Sinawava

Zion National Park

B,L

Zion Lodge

Activity note: Optional pre-breakfast walk of 1 mile one-way; Weeping Rock is one-half mile roundtrip on a paved trail with 100 foot change in elevation; Temple of Sinawava walk is 2 miles round trip on a paved trail with little change in elevation.

Morning: There is an optional pre-breakfast sunrise nature walk on the PaRus Trail, with an emphasis on the natural environment we see along the trail. The motorcoach will drop us at one end of this paved pedestrian/bike thoroughfare that travels along the banks of the N. Fork of the Virgin River, with excellent views of the Streaked Wall, Alter of Sacrifice, the Beehives, the Watchman and Bridge Mountain. It is slightly over 1 mile, with a 50 foot change in elevation. We will return by motorcoach for breakfast at the Lodge. After breakfast we will ride the park shuttle to Weeping Rock where we will hike a short but steep one-half mile round trip trail to view natural hanging gardens and the verdant spring lines of Weeping Rock. We'll then take the park shuttle to Temple of Sinawava. The Temple of Sinawava is a natural amphitheater, which is the trailhead for the Riverside Walk. From here, we walk on a fairly level, paved trail that follows the course of the Virgin River deep into the heart of Zion Canyon, viewing spring lines that provide water for lush hanging gardens and the home of the endangered Zion snail. Your Instructor will provide information about the Virgin River and Zion Canyon’s geology and plant habitat along the way.

Lunch: We'll return via park shuttle to Zion Lodge and enjoy our box lunch on the lawn that includes a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll travel by motorcoach to the Zion Human History Museum with its 22 minute multi-media presentation on Zion. From here, there are great views of the Towers of the Virgin and the Bridge on Bridge Mountain. We'll return to the Lodge to relax and get cleaned up before dinner.

Dinner: We'll take the motorcoach to dinner on your own in the quaint town of Springdale, where you can enjoy a variety of restaurants, bars, gift shops, art galleries, and more. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. Take an evening stroll from the Lodge and enjoy the quiet of the park when tourists leave and the wildlife comes out at night. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY

4

Checkerboard Mesa, Inspiration Point at Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park

B,L,D

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon

Activity note: We will travel by motorcoach 75 miles to Bryce Canyon National Park. This will take about one hour and twenty minutes. Walk about 1 mile, with a 100 foot change in elevation, along an unpaved trail along Bryce Canyon rim to Sunset Point. Elevation is approximately 8,000 feet at Bryce Canyon.

Morning: Board the motorcoach and travel to Bryce Canyon National Park, one of America's smaller national parks covering only 56 square miles. Bryce is renowned for its unique geological features carved by nature into hoodoos and pinnacles of an amazing palette of colors. Along the way we will travel through the 1 mile long Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel and stop at Checkerboard Mesa.

Lunch: Enjoy a lunch buffet of Western favorites at a local restaurant with coffee, iced tea, soda and water.

Afternoon: After lunch we will take the motorcoach to Inspiration Point for a walk to Sunset Point. This one-mile unpaved trail winds along the rim through bristlecone, spruce and fir trees with great views of the Bryce amphitheatre and the hoodoos, fins and spires of red, pink and yellow rock.

Dinner: Board our motorcoach to Ebenezer's Barn and Grill for dinner and a western music show. We will pick up our preselected choice of entrée from a buffet line, plus coffee, tea, soda or water; other beverages are available for purchase.

Morning: Before breakfast is an optional motorcoach trip to Bryce Point where early risers will be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise over the richly colored hoodoos of Bryce amphitheater. After breakfast enjoy a short walk to Sunrise Point where we will begin our 1.8 mile round trip hike below the canyon rim to Queen's Garden where you will experience an entirely different view from the canyon floor while looking up at the hoodoos. Participants are welcome to hike just part of the trail or if you prefer a more relaxed experience, there are excellent views of Queen's Garden from the walk along the rim trail from Sunrise to Sunset Point.

Lunch: Box lunch of a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie at Rainbow Point at the park's southern end at 9115 feet above sea level.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll walk one-quarter mile on a paved trail to Yovimpa Point to enjoy expansive views of the Grand Staircase and Navajo Mountain to the east and the Kaibab Plateau to the south. After returning from Yovimpa Point, we'll board the motorcoach for the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to view the award-winning park video, visit the natural history museum and learn about the amazing night sky at Bryce.

Dinner: Surrounded by the majestic Ponderosa pine forest, the Bryce Canyon Lodge dining room is a wonderful place to relax and take in the inspiring beauty of Bryce Canyon. Enjoy dining in the style of rustic elegance from the 1930s. This certified Green Restaurant serves up an environmentally sustainable menu with regional specialties as well as organic and all natural food choices.

Evening: Enjoy a Ranger presentation or walk to the canyon rim and watch the hoodoos change color as the sun sets. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.

DAY

6

Grand Canyon North Rim and Bright Angel Point

North Rim, Grand Canyon

B,L,D

Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim

Activity note: Walk one-half mile paved trail to Bright Angel Point with 100 foot change in elevation. The drive from Bryce Canyon to the north rim of the Grand Canyon is 155 miles or about 3 hours.

Morning: Board the motorcoach for the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Our first stop will be Kanab, UT where we'll visit the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitors Center to learn about the geology of the National Monument. We'll then cross into Arizona, climb the Kaibab Plateau and stop at the LeFevre overlook for a panoramic view of the multi-colored rock layers of the Grand Staircase.

Lunch: The Jacob Lake Inn, a pine-surrounded log structure with a fireplace and a wonderfully homey feel, will serve a plated meal of home-cooked fare.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll continue southbound across the Kaibab Plateau, through forests of Ponderosa pines, spruce, fir and quaking aspen. Learn why fire is important to the health of Ponderosa pine forests and what happens when you suppress fires for 100 years. Upon arrival we'll take a one-half mile round trip hike on a steep paved trail to Bright Angel Point, a promontory at an elevation of 8,148 feet that offers panoramic views of Roaring Springs, Bright Angel and Transept Canyons, as well as the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. After our walk, we'll check in at the Grand Canyon Lodge for our stay in the rustic cabins near the main lodge building.

Dinner: Buffet dinner in the historic Grand Canyon Lodge auditorium includes coffee, iced tea lemonade and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: Enjoy a presentation by a park Ranger, or go for a walk to one of several view points overlooking the canyon to watch the stars.

DAY

7

North Rim Nature Walk, Point Imperial

North Rim, Grand Canyon

B,L,D

Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim

Activity note: Motorcoach drive to Point Imperial is 20 minutes from the Lodge. Other walks to consider include 1.5 mile round trip on unpaved Transept Trail, one-half mile round trip on very steep unpaved north Kaibab Trail, two-mile round trip unpaved trail to north Kaibab trailhead.

Morning: Start your morning with a nature walk on your own along or near the rim. Then board the motorcoach to Point Imperial, the highest point on the north rim at 8,803 feet. Point Imperial overlooks the Painted Desert and the eastern end of Grand Canyon. Here the canyon transforms as the narrow walls of Marble Canyon open dramatically to become "grand." Layers of red and black Precambrian rocks, not visible at Bright Angel Point, add contrast and color.

Lunch: Enjoy a box lunch at Point Imperial of a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie.

Afternoon: Board the motorcoach and return to the Lodge through the Kaibab forest. Enjoy a free afternoon of independent exploration including the Kaibab trail that leads toward the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the 1.5 mile Transept Trail along the rim to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding canyon, catch an afternoon Ranger program, take the afternoon to relax at the coffee bar, the bookstore or saloon, or sit out on the Lodge patio and drink in the views.

Dinner: Dining in the historic Grand Canyon Lodge is truly a memorable experience with spectacular views of the sunset over the canyon. Regional as well as 1930's themed foods are featured throughout the extensive menu. Coffee, iced tea, soda and water are included. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY

8

Program concludes

Departures

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Activity note: Driving distance from north rim of Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is 265 miles or 4.5 hours.

Morning: The motorcoach departs the north rim by 7:30 a.m. sharp. Return to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport via St. George, UT and Mesquite, NV, to arrive at the airport by 1:30 p.m. and the starting hotel shortly thereafter.

Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch in St. George, Utah on the way to the Las Vegas airport.

Afternoon: Complete the final portion of our drive to Las Vegas, dropping participants at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport by 1:30 p.m., followed by the starting hotel. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future.

Meals

20 Meals

7 Breakfasts

7 Lunches

6 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

A warm welcome and a famous DoubleTree cookie wait for you at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Las Vegas Airport. Newly remodeled for your comfort, our hotel boasts a great location, just 2 miles from Las Vegas McCarran Airport, matched by its comfortable accommodations and excellent facilities. This tranquil, non-gaming hotel near Las Vegas Airport offers a complimentary 24-hour shuttle service to LAS airport, and a conveniently scheduled service until 11:00 pm to The Tropicana Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip. Relax under clear desert skies at the side of the pool or work out in the fully-equipped fitness center. Stay connected with complimentary internet access and a 24-hour business center featuring a meeting room available on a first come, first-served basis. Your guest room at the hotel is designed to make you feel at home.

The name "Zion" means a place of peace and refuge. As a sanctuary with over 146,000 acres of cliffs, canyons, diverse plant and animal life, and uninterrupted beauty, Zion is well-named. Its massive sandstone walls, some as high as 3,800 feet, offer an opportunity for serenity and reflection for all who visit. Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood in the 1920s, the Zion Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1966. That same year, the lodge was rebuilt in 100 days, quickly restoring the influx of visitors to Zion, but sacrificing the hotel's rustic design. In 1990, the exterior was restored to its original classic appearance.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon building is a charming, timber and rock lodge Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood in the 1920's. Bryce Canyon Lodge - the only "in-park" lodging at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah! It is here that delicacy of form unites with brilliancy of color. From sunrise to sunset, the changing scenes pass before you in vivid reds, yellows and purples. Watch as light plays upon rock, immersing you in a dazzling light show. It's one of Mother Nature's masterpieces and it's all yours to explore from just outside your door! Completely renovated to its original rustic 1920s elegance - down to replicas of the lodge's original hickory furniture - this beautiful "in-the-park" lodge is on the National Historic Register. They are within a short walk to both the rim and the lodge. This quiet and relaxed atmosphere, without televisions, allows the guest to get reacquainted with nature. Fine dining is available in the main lodge. The motel unit was built in 1986 in the same rustic style as the original lodge. Each room has 2 queen-size beds, full bath and private porch or balcony.

The only lodging available on the North Rim, this old lodge of rough hewn logs and rocks is chiseled into the limestone of the rim itself, offering broad views of the Grand Canyon, Bright Angel Canyon, the South Rim, and the San Francisco Peaks nearly 100 miles south. Rooms are in nearby cabins on the same grounds, within walking distance of the lodge. These historic cabins are both rustic and romantic.

The Best of Color Country National Parks Trip to Zion, Bryce Canyon and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was an excellent way to learn about this part of our nation. The scenery was spectacular, the group leaders
were experts in the geology and the flora and fauna in these areas. We thoroughly enjoyed the program and the other members of our group. We will definitely be on other Road Scholar adventures.

This was my first Road Scholar trip and it was great. Our leader, Bruce Banker, was warm and humorous. He conveyed a great deal of information and managed the group with a very light touch. We will be back for more RS trips.

The NAU Road Scholar week-long trip to Bryce, Zion & North Rim Grand Canyon was excellent due to the outstanding trip leaders. The length of time at each park was adequate and the activity level was right for me, an active woman in my mid-60's.

You will be awed many times a day throughout this trip by the beauty and majesty of these magnificent structures. These are much see sites. But be advised that several of the hikes are more strenuous than the mere "active" listed.

If you enjoy travel, learning new things about your surroundings past and present, this is a great program. It allows you to interact with people from all walks of life but with similar interest. Professional tour leaders and bus driver was a real treat. ENJOY!!!!

This trip to Zion, Bryce and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon exceeded our expectations! This was not just because of the great vistas and views but also due to the wonderful Road Scholar team of Marcia, David and Kelly, the opportunity to lodge in the cabins right in the parks and the well-paced experience of exploring these wonderful canyons. Definitely a thumbs up!

What a wonderful week basking in nature's beauty. Each National Park, Zion, Bryce, and North Grand Canyon had its own special appeal so I never felt I was repeating the last spot. It was a "WOW" experience from start to ending!

Road Scholar offers so many interesting trips. What I chose for my first trip was perfect. The week passed too quickly ("time flies when you're having fun!!"). I'm looking forward to my next Road Scholar experience. I would especially enjoy one led by the same people involved with the trip I recently completed.

Hi! This was my first Road Scholar trip and I had a wonderful time. I was a solo traveler and was lucky to have a wonderful woman to room with. Janice; John and Don were all great. I did have some trouble with adjusting to the altitude, but still had a great time and was able to do the hikes at my own pace and was able to turn around when I needed to. I learned quite a bit from both Janice and also fellow travelers. Can't wait to book another trip!

Led by Jennifer Beltz of NAU and Amy Calhoun, this trip was terrific. I had never visited these national parks. With their knowledge of, and love for, the geology, flora and fauna, and Native American history of these places, Jennifer and Amy made them come alive for me.

Excellent trip to three superb locations. By all means choose a date where you can stay in lodging inside the parks--well worth it. The trip accommodated people with different levels of interest in physical activity. I came with friends who were interested in additional, somewhat strenuous hiking and we had opportunities in all three parks. Very memorable experience.

This is an awesome trip - our guides John and Janice were knowledgeable and helpful; our driver Glenn kept us on time and safe and the walks are doable if you are in reasonable shape. Take your time and listen to your body. Can't wait to go back to Bryce Canyon!!

This was a great program for my wife and me. It provided a compromise between our different levels of interest in outdoor activity. We met others with both common and different interests. And, the program provided fun learning opportunities.

This program was an absolutely perfect way to experience these three national parks! I met wonderful people, learned so much about the geology and history of this part of the country, and enjoyed being outside hiking in nature each day. The program was the perfect length, and the historic accommodations in the park made it extra special.

Had a wonderful time! Each canyon felt different and they were spectacular. Pictures never do these sites justice, you just have to be there. As a solo traveler on my first Road Scholar trip, I was concerned about how it would go but it was great. My fellow travelers were all friendly and I never felt alone. Janice, our Educator, had a way of explaining geology that made it fun to learn. I will never be able to forget the ice cream rock layers! And John, our Coordinator, was wonderful. He always kept track of the last person on our hikes. You will never get left behind! Would do it again in a minute.

Wonderful trip. I was afraid each of the three parks would be repeats - but each was unique and amazin. Even the bus ride between parks was time well spent. Here is link to video I made with everything we did - including clever commentary from out two great guides. It's a YouTube link. https://youtu.be/ZXgWnGehVTo

We are so glad that we attended this program. There are so many travel choices out there, and this was the right choice for us. We considered driving to these parks on our own but are quite sure that we had a much better experience with Road Scholar.

This tour from October 6-13 visited beatific places, included quite marvelous hikes, included delicious meals, and Eldon and Diane were energetic and friendly leaders. They really packed our days with fun and learning experiences.

If you want to see various rock formations and/or layers, out of this world landscapes, this is the trip. Hike were just challenging enough. The food was really good. Everybody should be required to see the hoodoos!!!!!!!!!!

I have taken nine Road Scholar trips. "The Best of Color National Parks Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon" was one of my very favorites. I especially enjoyed staying in the park lodges and being able to step out of my room and experience the vast beauty of each park.

This was my first Road Scholar trip and it was just the BEST! The staff were amazing people and unbelievably organized. The parks left me speechless. SO BEAUTIFUL! I really love learning new things and can't think of a better way to do so! I can't wait until I retire and have the time to participate in tons of new programs!!!

Having never been to any of these national parks, this was a great introduction. There were so many breathtaking moments to experience in the Utah and Arizona landscape! David Boyce shared his geology expertise in a relaxed manner which really enhanced the program. Marcia and Kelly Cooper were wonderful in handling trip logistics and added so much personal warmth. The group was most congenial. Overall, Road Scholar did a fine job!

My first Road Scholar trip to Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon was a complete success and exceeded my expectations! For a stress-free vacation that is interesting and fulfilling, you can't beat Road Scholar and I look forward to my next adventure.

I very much doubt that it would be possible for travelers to schedule and get access to see the diversity of places and learn something of the geology on their own, much less in the time scheduled, and certainly not for the small cost involved. All of the highly qualified and experienced staff members do everything possible to assure a great learning experience, all the while looking after the groups safety, welfare and congeniality.

This was a wonderful trip! Having two days at each site felt just right. Eldon and Diane Griffin, our trip leaders, were wonderful -- knowledgeable, personable, and very organized. We would travel with them again any time. This was our first Road Scholar trip but it won't be our last.

Great trip! Lots of information. Eldon and Diane helped make the trip smooth, on time. Our bus drive Mike Taylor went out of his way to be helpful, worked continually cleaning not only the bus but also the park sites at each stop.

This trip was well organised. The detailed information packet we got well in advance was very helpful since I participated the trip from
abroad and didn't know much about Road Scholar. The program to the three desert National Parks, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Bryce was spectacular.
Thank you Eldon, Diane, and Jerry!

This is a great trip for people interested in spectacular scenery, unique geology, and interesting flora and fauna. The leaders adapt to participants' individual abilities, but even the easiest hikes are wonderful. The hike down to the Queen's Garden in Bryce is a highlight if you can handle a somewhat more rigorous hike. Finally, this trip is a bargain: we have seen similar trips advertised with other organizations at a much higher price tag.

From the sublimity of natures wonders to the ridiculousness of Las Vegas, I experienced the wonders of God-made and the the absurdity of man-made on a huge scale. You cannot be on the fence as to what is impressive after this trip!

Outstanding program. The views and scenery were a given, and i cant rate our guides high enough. Everyone did their job well. In particular, Eldon made the tour with his knowledge and information. He is a walking encyclopedia. Thank you to Eldon, Diane, and Jerry for providing such a fine experience.

The Road Scholar program to the three desert National Parks, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Bryce was spectacular. The Team Leaders were knowledgeable, fun and entertaining. The accommodations at the parks was as good as it gets at each of the parks. The scenery was breathtaking. The program was very accommodating to hikers with different activity levels.

This trip was well organized and paced. The participants were very interesting, flexible and thoughtful. The organizer, the guide and the driver were all first rate. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in nature, beauty, flora, fauna, outstanding scenery and/or landscape photography.

Can only concur with everyone else. Jen and Jeff are great to have as leaders. They know the area so well and the locations worked terrific. We love the program and learned so much about the geologic time and space. Finally get it and to see how different each park is from the others, it finally began to make sense.

you don't want to miss this trip if Bryce, zion and the north rim of the canyon are on your bucket list - jen & jeff are the toping on the cake! - Geologist & naturalist extraordinaire - earned applause for extras that added special moments throughout!

The Color Country Canyon trip was a wonderful experience with trip leaders who were friendly & knowledgeable. I highly recommend this trip ~ I feel lucky that my first trip to Zion, Grand Canyon North Rim and Bryce was with these Road Scholar leaders who made these areas come alive!

The Color Canyon Tour was fantastic on every level. Darrell and Paula were the quintessential, knowledgeable, entertaining and generous leaders of a beautiful trip. Our whole group had fun getting to know each other as we traveled the canyons.

This program was a fine way to be introduced to these spectacular National Parks. It has encouraged me to return again. Our leaders, Bruce Banker and David Best, were outstanding interpreters of the geology and history of the canyon parks.

I agree with David that "Utah Rocks" and enjoyed Bruce's storytelling such as the "Roll A Way" Saloon. Also, great camaraderie as we hiked Zion, North Rim Grand Canyon and drew close to Hoodoos and spires in Red Canyon.

I booked this trip a week before our departure date and I’m so glad I did. What a week of unforgettable scenery, outstanding tour leaders, a great roommate, and a friendly group of lifelong learners. Our guides Bruce and David were organized, gifted story tellers, full of information about the Southwest—and set the tone for an amazing week. Our driver Alex was the best, and kept us safe during our travels. Thank you all so much!

The beauty of Nature, the high quality of professionalism of Bruce, Dave and Alex, the terrific camaraderie which developed, made for a glorious trip. Don't forget fun with FON.
Renée Englander
Woodstock NY

Our guides, David and Bruce, enabled us to really see these amazing natural wonders by leading us to an understanding the geology of these parks. Just as amazing was the fellowship created by forty-one of my fellow travelers!

Color Country was a great program which had us visiting beautiful places. Paula and Darrell and Jerry took great care of us and shared their love of Utah with us. It is always fun to stay in national park lodging and eat in their dining room.

This was a wonderful trip and a great introduction to all three parks. Our group was in Zion when the floods occurred, so we did miss a couple of minor things. However, our leaders Jennifer and Amy managed to rise to the occasion and still give us a great tour. I highly recommend this trip, as well as the Four Corners Canyon Country trip. Both are run by NAU.

This is an exceptional trip that allows you to see Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon in a relatively short period of time. The learning experiences provided by our leader, Darrell McMahon. throughout the trip were outstanding. This is one great adventure.

Having gone on 8-9 Road Scholar programs I can say with certainty that Northern Arizona University does an exceptional job in running their many programs with passionate and knowledgeable leadership as well as great locations. This particular trip has a relatively easy pace, very good accommodations & food, and jaw dropping scenery I can only describe as a visual feast. Come prepared to learn a lot about geology and the human history of the locations you will visit. You will be glad you went. Mike Hagearty, Atlanta, GA

This program was a great way to experience Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon. We saw and learned much more than we could ever have done on our own. Darrell and Paula were great coordinators and Liann was a fantastic bus driver.